November 19, 2012

Windows 8 Apps - Not Your Father's Applications

7 Ways Modern Windows 8 Apps Are Different From Windows Desktop Apps - How-To Geek.
This is a good discussion of the differences between Windows 8 apps, running from Metro, and desktop versions of the apps. It is the thing I have found most disconcerting about Windows 8, and is keeping me tethered to the desktop until I get a touch screen. I don't think the Metro versions of the Windows apps I use are as easy to navigate. This is probably just because of the differences in functions. Windows 8 apps are always running, and you can't shut them down once opened. I hate that. And, they are so sandboxed that it seems to me I am constantly having to tell Windows I want to run as an Administrator. There has to be a way to shut that down; but, it probably increases vulnerability to hacks. I love the speed of Windows 8, and it has really improved my desktop experience. But, I had to load a third party app to get the system to boot into the desktop, and to reclaim my Windows Start button. I get that Microsoft wants to train us to use the Metro interface; but, we should get to choose when that happens, no?